Copying-bath.



Patented July I6, I90I. M. 0. WHELAN.

(Application lsd July 23, 1900.)

(No Modal.)

WI TNCSSES'.

y WWM NvLNToR UNITED STATES MARTIN O. VIIELAN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

COPYING-BATH.

SPEGIFIQALTION forming part of Letters Patent No. 678,447, dated July 16, 1901.

Application filed J'uly 23, 1900I T0 LZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN O. WHELAN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Copying-Baths, ofwhich the followingisa specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in baths for moistening copying cloths or blotters, and has for its object to produce a self-moistening pad having a source of water-supply, wherebyit will be at all times in readiness for use in wetting the cloths or blotters of the bath.

With this object in view, therefore, my invention consists of a pad in the form of a porous block having a reservoir for liquidsupply arranged therein and feeders leading from the reservoir to variousparts of the pad, at which points the liquid is distributed throughout the entire block by means of capillary attraction. Y

The invention further consists in various other details of construction, as will be more fully hereinafter described, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a framework constituting the mold in which the porous block is formed. Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the usual pan forming the body of the bath andthrough the pad arranged therein. Fig. 3 is a similar section through a pad of modified construction. Fig. 4 is a plan view looking at the bottom thereof. Fig. 5 is a section on line x m, Fig. 2, through one of the conduits as placed in the pad.

In the drawings thus brieflydescribed the framing referred to is designated by the letter A and comprises channel-shaped ends B, similar sides C, a hollow central member or reservoir D, and trough-shaped members E, which connect the central member with the sides and ends, as shown. The hollow member D, which is preferably in the form of a metallic box, constitutes the reservoir for the pad, and in addition to afLll-opening F at its top is provided with a discharge-opening Gr, formed in each of its sides. Tubes, such as II, form the conduits which distribute the water, and thesevare arranged, as shown, within the Serial No. 24,4811. (No model.)

kor plug being inserted within the fill-opening F to prevent the same from becoming 0bstructed. I also iind it preferable to fill the reservoir D with waste or other absorbent matter to prevent the water from being fed too fast to the pad. The pad thus formed (shown in Figs. l and 2) is laid within thepan I, which, as stated, constitutes the body of the bath. This pan is preferably of greater i length than the pad, so that the socket K will be formed between one end of the padv and the pan, as shown. Within this socket the cover L of the bath, which is preferably in the form of a block, can be conveniently supported in a vertical position While the blotters are being inserted or withdrawn from the bath, or the cover may be hinged to the pan,

as desired. The cover L has a metallic backing L and at its lower end is provided with a metallic facing K', adapted to strike against the end of the pad, and thus avoid all danger of injuring the composition lid in raising or lowering it, the weight of the cover being suflicient to press the blotters or cloths out smooth and exclude the air, so that the moisture will not be quickly carried off.

Figs. 3 and 4f illustrate a slightly-modified construction in which the reservoir extends to the top of the pad and is provided with a suitable hinged cover, the V-shaped connecting troughs and conduits being dispensed with and the wicking or feeders simply laid in the composition and radiating from the reservoir, the connecting-ribs M extending across the bottom of the frame to firmly unite the same and form supporting means for the reservoir and composition.

With my construction of metallic-bound pad I am enabled to manufacture these devices separate from the pan for use with any of the pans now in use. I also may,wl1ere the IOO complete pan is manufactured, dispense with the use of the metallic binding and mold the composition directly into the pan-body, the reservoir and its troughs or feeders having first been placed therein.

Vhat I claim as my invention isv I. A damping-pad for blotter-baths, consisting of a porous block having metal-bound sides and ends, a reservoir embedded centrally Within the block, a multiple of tubesupports within said block connecting the reservoir with the metallic sides and ends, and tubes upon the supports communicating with the reservoir and extending therefrom to different parts of the block, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A blotter-bath, comprising a pan, a metallic-bound absorbent-composition block of a length less than the pan, having a ilat top surface and placed in the pan, a reservoir embedded within said block,aud means for gradually feeding the contents of said reservoir to the block, a metal cover for the pan, having a heavyabsorbentlling that has a smooth surface, and is adapted to overlie the absorbent in the pan, and the cover and absorbent therein, adapted to stand on end in the Vacant end of the pan.

3. A damping-pad for blotter-baths, consisting of a porous block, having metal-bound sides and ends, a reservoir embedded centrally within the block,a multiple of V-shaped troughs within said block connecting the reservoir with the metallic sides and ends, and feeders within said troughs communicating with the reservoir and extending therefrom to dierent parts of the block, substantially as and for the purpose described.

1l. A blotter-bath, comprising a pan, a metallic-bound absorbent-composition block having a flat top surface and removably laid in the pan,a reservoir embedded in said block, means for gradually feeding the contents of said reservoir to the block, a cover fitted to the pan and an absorbent composition having a flat surface combined with the cover for the purpose described.

5. A moistening-pad for blotter-baths composed of a rectangular metallic frame, connecting-rods uniting the opposite sides of the frame, a reservoir supported thereon cen trally of the frame, an absorbent composition having a smooth surface surrounding said reservoir and contained within the fran1e,and means for slowly feeding the contents of the reservoir to the composition as required.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. MARTIN O. VIIELAN. lVitnesses:

OTTO F. BARTHEL, Jos. A. NOELKE. 

